Poker is not only a fun and addictive game but it also has a lot of cognitive benefits. From developing better decision making skills to enhancing emotional regulation, there are many things that you can learn from playing the game of poker.

One of the most important things that you can take away from this game is the ability to assess risks properly. This is a skill that is not only beneficial in poker but it can also be applied to real life situations. The ability to understand and quantify risk can help you make more informed choices and minimize your losses.

You’ll also learn how to read the game of poker and develop a strategy that works for you. This is something that is learned over time as you play the game and learn from your mistakes. A good poker player will always be tweaking their strategy to improve it.

The final thing that you can take away from the game of poker is the ability to control your emotions. There are times when unfiltered expressions of emotion are completely justified, but most of the time it’s best to keep your emotions under control so that they don’t interfere with your decision making.

The first step in learning how to play poker is knowing what the hands are and what beats what. The easiest way to do this is by studying a chart or two. You should always have a clear understanding of what the highest pair is, what two distinct pairs are and what a high card is.